By winning 0-1 at Empoli as part of the eighth day of the Italian championship, Naples took sole lead in the standings (19 points). Holder, Romelu Lukaku was replaced (59th) and Cyril Nyongenew addition to the Devils during the last national team gathering, remained on the bench. Empoli (10 points) occupies 11th position.
Very aggressive, the Tuscans started strong and inherited a first big opportunity by Sebastiano Esposito whose resumption at one time was postponed by Elia Caprile (12th). The Neapolitan goalkeeper reacted well again to a strike from the left of Giuseppe Pezzella (13th) before stretching for a low shot fromEsposito (31st). The Neapolitans are only shown to be dangerous once, on a whimAlexander Good morning (26th). Napoli presented a different approach after the break.
Antonio Conte by lot Romelu Lukaku et Leonardo Spinazzola (59th). Empoli were stuck in their zone when Faustino Anjorin committed on Matteo Politano a penalty converted by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (63rd, 0-1). The Neapolitans then retained control of the match without Scott Mc Tominay (67th) and Billy Gilmour (70th) fail to make it a reality.
Recovered for a few weeks, Romelu Lukaku chose to skip the Belgian gathering in the middle of October. Will he be back with the Devils in November to face Italy and Israel? Nothing is less certain. The 31-year-old striker emptied his bag during the week and the situation seems very complicated.
